by Rod Pearson
Wednesday, Jan 28, 2026
Game Time: 7:30 pm ET, Thursday, January 29, 2026
Venue: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI
Where to Watch: ESPN+, Hulu
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Moneyline: Capitals +100, Red Wings -120; Over/Under: 5.5 goals
Bet365: Moneyline: Capitals +100, Red Wings -120; Over/Under: 5.5 goals
BetMGM: Moneyline: Capitals +100, Red Wings -120; Over/Under: 5.5 goals
Season Record
Washington Capitals: 25-22-7 (5th place, Metropolitan Division)
Detroit Red Wings: 32-17-5 (2nd place, Atlantic Division)
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Recent Form
Washington Capitals: 3-6-1 last 10
Detroit Red Wings: 7-2-1 last 10
Washington Capitals vs Detroit Red Wings Preview and Analysis
The Capitals are entering this game with 57 points, a 25-22-7 record overall, and they are 11-12-4 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a loss against the Seattle Kraken in their last game, losing that one on the road 5-1. Alexander Ovechkin scored 1 goal for them in that one. Jakob Chychrun and Ryan Leonard each led the team in assists with 1 while Alexander Ovechkin led the team in shots on net in that game with 4. Logan Thompson was the starting goalie in that game and he allowed 5 goals on 32 shots with 27 saves and a .844 save percentage. Their offense has scored 171 goals this season averaging 3.2 goals per game and their defense has allowed their opponents to score 164 goals against them allowing 3 goals per game.
The Red Wings are entering this game with 69 points, a 32-17-5 record overall, and they are 18-9-1 in their home games this season where they will be in -this game. They are entering this game off a loss against the Los Angeles Kings in their last game, losing that one at home 3-1. Alex DeBrincat scored 1 goal for them in that one. Moritz Seider and Patrick Kane each led the team in assists with 1 while Alex DeBrincat led the team in shots on net in that game with 7. John Gibson was the starting goalie in that game and he allowed 2 goals on 21 shots with 19 saves and a .905 sv percentage. Their offense has scored 168 goals this season averaging 3.1 goals per game and their defense has allowed their opponents to score 162 goals against them allowing 3 goals per game.
Capitals vs Red Wings Prediction
The current betting odds have the Red Wings listed as a slight favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Red Wings have looked really good in their games this season with their 32-17-5 record overall which has them right near the top of their division in the East. They have looked great on home ice too with their 18-9-1 home record this year. Meanwhile, the Capitals haven't looked great in their games this season with their 25-22-7 record overall which has them in the bottom half of their division in the East. They haven't been a good road team either with their 11-12-4 road record this season. The Capitals had a nice start to the season, but they have fallen off since that stronger start and haven't looked good lately. They were one of the best teams in the East last season, but they have regressed a lot this year with their defense not looking nearly as good. They are 3-6-1 in their last 10 games and they are off a 5-1 loss to the Kraken in their last one, losing 2 games in a row now too. The Red Wings are off a 3-1 home loss to the Kings in their last one, but they have been rolling in their games lately and will be looking to bounce back here on home ice. They are 7-2-1 in their last 10 games and they have been one of the best teams in the East for most of the season. The Red Wings will be looking to bounce back at home and this is a great game for them to do so with the Capitals in the middle of a big slump, struggling to score goals. The best way to place a bet here is on the Red Wings to win this game.
Capitals Red Wings Prediction: Our NHL Pick for Thursday, January 29, 2026 (7:30 pm ET start time) is Red Wings 4 Capitals 1.
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NHL Betting Trends
Washington Capitals: 17-23 (-6.8 units) on the moneyline in a road game where the total is 5.5. 9-15 (-6 units) on the moneyline after playing 3 consecutive road games. 61-73 (-5.5 units) on the moneyline against explosive offensive teams - scoring 3+ goals/game. 35-24 OVER revenging a same season loss vs opponent.
Detroit Red Wings: 63-46 (+11.5 units) on the moneyline in home games. 55-53 (+5.8 units) on the moneyline after playing a home game. 105-97 (+16 units) on the moneyline against mistake free teams - opponents average 4 power plays/game or less. 22-15 OVER after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game.
Key Injuries
Washington Capitals: M. Roy (D) Day To Day - Lower-body. R. Sandin (D) Day To Day - Lower Body. P. Dubois (LW) Out - Abdomen.
Detroit Red Wings: S. Edvinsson (D) Out - Lower-body.
Notable Quotes
“I think right from the start, I mean, I thought we got outplayed in the first period significantly. I don’t think a lot changed from there. Extremely disappointing. I just thought we got beat in every area.” - Spencer Carbery after his team’s loss against the Kraken in their game on Tuesday.
“We really couldn’t get anything to the net. A lot of our game is volume shooting and playing off the goaltender’s pads. We did a better job in the third period, but give them credit, they checked well and kept us to the outside.” - Todd McLellan after his team’s loss against the LA Kings in their game on Tuesday.
Starting Lineups
Washington Capitals
LW Connor McMichael
C Dylan Strome
RW Ryan Leonard
LD Martin Fehervary
RD John Carlson
G Logan Thompson
Detroit Red Wings
LW Marco Kasper
C Dylan Larkin
RW Lucas Raymond
LD Jacob Bernard-Docker
RD Moritz Seider
G John Gibson
Statistical Leaders
Washington Capitals
Points: Tom Wilson (46)
Goals: Tom Wilson (22)
Assists: John Carlson (34)
GAA: Logan Thompson (2.46)
Detroit Red Wings
Points: Lucas Raymond (58)
Goals: Alex DeBrincat (28)
Assists: Lucas Raymond (40)
GAA: John Gibson (2.61)
Coaches:
Washington Capitals: Spencer Carbery (3rd season)
Detroit Red Wings: Todd McLellan (2nd season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
